Noordhorn (Groningen, Netherlands)

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Noordhorn, a village in the Dutch province of Groningen (coordinates: 53.26086, 6.39534 [53° 15′ 39″ N, 6° 23′ 43″ E], where there is a Mennonite congregation. Not much is known about the origin of this congregation; it was apparently founded in an early period. Leenaert Bouwens baptized 29 or 32 persons here in 1551-1582. In 1621 Mattheus Janssen of Noordhorn, who was appointed as a delegate of the Landdag (legislature) of the province of Groningen, was not admitted to its sessions because he was a Mennonite.

The Noordhorn congregation was formerly called Humsterland and also Oldehove and Ter Home, where the old church stood. This old church, which was difficult to access and in need of repairs, was replaced in 1838 by a new one more centrally located in the village of Noordhorn, where a parsonage was also built. Since that time it has been known as the Noordhorn congregation. For a long time, 1818-1871, Gerrit Bakker was the preacher here. He took an active part in the organization of the Groningen Sociëteit (Conference) and was its first secretary. During this time the membership rose from 40 to 90. In 1872 a new parsonage was built.

In 1877 Noordhorn was one of the few congregations which did not require adult baptism in receiving a member of another creed; it was also one of the first Dutch Mennonite congregations to allow women to vote.

Since 1946 the pastor of Noordhorn has also been the pastor of the Grijpskerk congregation. To the Noordhorn congregation also belongs the Mennonite Kring (circle) of Oldehove. In the mid-1950s the congregation had a ladies' circle, a youth group, and activities of youth workers (age 12-15).